As Windows Mobile devices have become an ever increasing part of our lives, the dependency on them as also increased.  Much like our PCs at home, our mobile devices should be backed up regularly to prevent data loss and to provide a quick(er) way to get back up and running. 

With the introduction of Windows Mobile 5 and ActiveSync 4.x, the ability to do backups became more challenging.  No longer does ActiveSync have a built-in back up and restore process as it did in 3.x.  Additionally, most Windows Mobile 5 devices are not including a backup application either, something that most removed with the advent of Persistent Storage in Windows Mobile 5.  Most OEMs simply felt that because of Persistent Storage a backup application was no longer needed. 

Seeing this need in the market, Spb Software House has developed Spb Backup.  Spb Backup is a self contained backup and restore application that is compatible with Windows Mobile 5 as well as previous Windows Mobile versions.  Spb Backup allows you to backup your data to a Storage Card and can compress and encrypt that file as well.  The application is amazingly easy to use and provides a solid backup solution for Windows Mobile users today.  The latest version of Spb Backup, version 1.5, adds to an already well-rounded application.  Along with a host of fixes, including two major fixes around restoration (email restoration) and minor fixes, two new features have been added that allow the backing up of storage cards and customized file restoration.

Spb Backup is installed via ActiveSync and requires approximately 860KB of storage space.  It can be installed in either Main Memory or on a Storage Card.  Spb Backup is designed for Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE and 5.0.  Previous versions of Pocket PC are not supported.  Once the installation is complete, you will see that there is a Today plug-in for Spb Backup on your Today screen.  It displays when your last backup was completed and by tapping it, you will start Spb Backup itself.  If you are a user of Spb Pocket Plus, the Today plug in can be integrated into it, saving valuable Today screen space.

Figure 1:  The Spb Backup Today Plug-in shows when your last backup was completed

Figure 2:  The Spb Backup Today Plug-in integrated into Spb Pocket Plus

The interface of Spb Backup is simple but clearly explains the options available to you for backing up your device.  You have the option of doing a Full Backup, a Custom Backup or a Scheduled Backup.  The Full Backup, as the name suggests, backs up all of the data and programs on your device.  Custom Backup allows you to select what you want to back up.  In Custom Backup you can choose to have your PIM Data, Emails, My Documents, System Data and Storage Card or any combination of these.  Scheduled backup allows you to setup a regular scheduled backup of your device along with what items on your device to backup.

After selecting the type of backup to perform, Spb Backup prompts you to select the name of the backup file and the location where to store that file. By default, the file will be named “Backup_YYYYMMDD” but this can be changed if you wish.  The choices of where the backup file can be stored is dependent on what expansion memory you have in your Windows Mobile device.  On my QTEK 9100, I have a Mini Secure Digital card installed so I have the option to store there as a location.  You can also store the backup file into main memory but this is not recommended as you could potentially loose your backup file in the event of a device failure.  Once a name and location are chosen, tap Next to being the backup process.  It is highly recommended that you have your device connected to external power when doing a backup to prevent any failures.